Stations to Stand Down
<bt>The Loudoun County Fire-Rescue system is joining thousands of fire departments across the United States and Canada for the 2006 International Fire Fighter Safety Stand Down. Starting June 21 and continuing until all members of the department have participated, firefighters will suspend all nonemergency activity to focus on firefighter safety.
Loudoun will respond to all emergency calls as normal, but between calls, firefighters, officers and chiefs will take the time to conduct safety training and drills; review safety-related standard operating procedures; discuss accident reports and have an open conversation about firefighter safety in the department. The focus of the Stand Down is on emergency-vehicle safety in particular.
Last year, 106 firefighters died in the line of duty in the United States; 26 of these deaths occurred in emergency vehicle-related accidents. Thousands more were injured while on duty. The purpose of the stand down is to call international attention to these numbers of line-of-duty deaths and injuries and devote an entire day to the critical issue of fire fighter safety.
For more about Loudoun County's participation in the Stand Down for Firefighter Safety, contact Jeff Bailey, safety captain for Loudoun County at 571-233-1528. Additional information is also available at www.iafc.org/standdown or through the IAFC at 703/273-0911.
<sh>First Meeting
<bt>The Dulles South Business Alliance (DSBA) will hold its first in a new series of Dulles South Community Forums, June 27, 7-9 p.m., at the Arcola Community Center, 24328 Goshen Road. DSBA is hosting these community forums in an effort to provide citizens, HOAs and businesses in the community the opportunity to learn more about what is being planned in the Dulles South area.
During the forum, representatives from the county government, Route 50 Task Force, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, George Mason University, Inova Loudoun Hospital, Dulles South CPAM and the Dulles South Transportation Alliance (DSTA) will give updates on their respective activities in Dulles South. After the presentations, attendees will have the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the representatives to ask questions and get additional information.
RSVP to Chris Knego at Christine.knego@mcdean.com or 571-262-8132.
<sh>Feds Fund Transportation
<bt>The U.S. House of Representatives approved about $70 million in funding for projects across the region in the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill (H.R. 5576). The bill will now be taken up by the Senate.
According to press releases from Reps. Frank Wolf (R-10) and Jim Moran (D-8) the area will see $5 million for the Rail to Dulles project and $2 million to widen westbound I-66 inside the Beltway. The bill also directs an analysis of extending the third southbound lane of the George Washington Parkway from the Key Bridge to the Roosevelt Bridge.
Some local projects include:
* $61 million for Metrorail to purchase new rail cars.
* $500,000 to assist in the widening of Route 50 from Route 28 in Fairfax County to Poland Road, which is just before the main entrance to South Riding.
<sh>Teen Found
<bt>A missing Ashburn teen has been located safe and sound after he left his home last week, according to the Sheriff's Office.
Rodney Marcell Howard, 16, was reported missing June 8. SheriffÕs investigators learned of RodneyÕs whereabouts on Wednesday morning and he was later confirmed to be safe and sound.
<sh>Two Charged with Arson
<bt>Two Ashburn residents have been charged with arson and attempted fraud after a fire involving a 2004 Ford Taurus.
James Roy Catchings Jr., 35, and Kena Tigler Catchings, 32, were charged after an investigation into a vehicle fire and an insurance claim related to the fire was completed by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office. The fire occurred Jan. 14 in Ashburn.
The charges carry penalties of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $100,000.
The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office was assisted in the investigation by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
<sh>Vacant House Fire
<bt>The Loudoun County Fire Marshal's Office is investigating a fire that occurred in a vacant house located at 21353 Belmont Ridge Road in Ashburn Saturday, June 10. The house was destroyed by the fire.
The area is known to be frequented by high-school students. The fire cause continues to be investigated.
Anyone with information about the fire is encouraged to call the Loudoun County Crime Solvers Hotline at 703-777-1919.
<sh>Five Arrested
<bt>A sobriety checkpoint held Friday, June 16, in Sterling saw five people arrested for driving under the influence, a according to the Sheriff's Office.
The checkpoint was held on Sterling Boulevard at the intersection of Davis Drive; and saw 654 vehicles pass through with 12 vehicles pulled to the side for further screening.
The Sheriff's Office conducts one checkpoint per month throughout the year and holds additional checkpoints during the holidays. The Sheriff's Office designed the checkpoints to raise public awareness and to discourage impaired driving.
<sh>Clinic Success
<bt>One hundred, seventy-six dogs and cats were microchipped for free at the Loudoun County Department of Animal Care & Control's annual summer festival, Homeward Bound, this past Saturday.
The department hosted the two-hour pet microchipping clinic as part of the day's festivities.
In addition, the animals were registered in the Loudoun County Animal Shelter's database; so that they can be easily identified and returned to their owners should they ever come to the Animal Shelter as strays.
In all, approximately 500 visitors attended the event, which featured 18 pet-friendly groups providing giveaways, educational material and activities. In addition,
Loudoun County Sheriff's Deputy Ray Sullivan and his K9 partner, Ben, provided a demonstration.
The department's next free pet microchipping clinic scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at the Sterling Community Center.